Hawks Host Inaugural Girls Camp

The Illawarra Hawks hosted an inaugural Girls Basketball Camp on Friday 14 July at Shellharbour City Stadium, with over 50 participants from across the region.

The camp was headlined by the coaching skills of two-time WNBL Champion Lauren Nicholson, assisted by 4 other local female coaches.

Nicholson, who recently represented Australia in the Opals Bronze Medal win at the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup, was excited to be involved in the day.

“I love it. I love being able to give back to the community. I like seeing young girls striving to get better and anyway possible that I can come back and give back to them, I’ll always do,” Nicholson told WIN News.

Nicholson hopes camps like the one hosted by the Hawks will generate more participation in the sport.

“We want them to get better, we want as many females participating from a really young age. So, these camps really help in involving all young females.”

Community Manager Tim Coenraad led the curriculum running the girls through a range of skills and drills, complimenting the various skill levels participating.

Coenraad plans on running more girls only camps and clinics in the future and understands the positive role sport and basketball can have.

“Leading into the WNBL season, I think it’s important for the girls to have their space to be able to compete and encourage the girls to participate more in basketball.”

“I’m a big advocate for basketball, it’s given me so much, and it has the capability to give girls so much as well,” Coenraad said.

Illawarra Hawks stars Daniel Grida and William 'Davo' Hickey were also in attendance, participating in a Q&A before giving out some coaching tips from the sidelines. 

Check out some of the moments from the day in the gallery below.